Hofstra University College Student Murder: Sad But Not Shocking

This morning I woke up to horrifying news that involved my alma mater, Hofstra University. At 2:30 a.m. on Friday, May 17, a student was shot dead in her off-campus home after an armed, masked man broke into the home she shared with her twin sister and several sorority sisters. The victim has now been identified by friends as 21-year-old Andrea Rebello.

As an alumna (Class of 2011), my heart aches for my former college community. This story is so, so, so sad. Rebello was too young to die. But unfortunately...I'm not shocked that this happened.

Why? I know what it was like to live in Hempstead, NY, where Hofstra is located. I remember the countless reports of robberies that happened right near the home Rebello was shot in. I remember the story of a guy who was going around robbing students right in that area with a machete. That's right: A machete. I remember that time someone got shot in the drive-thru of Popeyes that lies right across from the new student housing.

The fact of the matter is, Hofstra University isn't exactly in the safest neighborhood. And that's why I always lived on campus and never ventured deep into Hempstead on my own at night. But also...no matter how much common safety knowledge you have, students should be able to live near their school without worrying about losing their lives. This is a tragedy, plain and simple.

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And needless to say, no one but the sick man who broke into the house is to blame.

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